THE CHRONICLE-JOURNAL
05/26/2010
A Thunder Bay inventor’s reusable high-chair cover, the Tidy Tray, is gaining international attention from retailers.
“Rexall just confirmed they are committing to 140 stores across the country,” Dan Cheal said.
“Wal-Mart is impressed and I finally have distribution in the U.K. I’m amazed at how the public has embraced this idea I came up with from a
walk with my daughter.”
Today’s Parent Magazine is also publishing a feature on the tray cover.
Cheal said he’d been working with a woman in Britain who was interested in taking his product to her market. That woman’s sister is working to bring Tidy Trays to Ireland.
There are a few design changes coming with the expansion. Cheal said he’s received requests from parents who want pink Tidy Trays for girls. He is creating new colour schemes to meet demand.
His customer and fan base has grown. Parents, mostly mothers, have been sending Cheal letters of thanks.
“A few have told me they love the Tidy Tray because it gives them peace of mind not only to protect them from germs and viruses, but also from food allergies,” he said. “It wasn’t originally designed to protect from allergens, but it works really well to create a barrier between the child and the eating surface.”
The success of Tidy Trays is growing Dream Big Innovations, Cheal’s company. He said he is working on several new products that are a Tidy Tray spinoff.
In the end, Cheal wants people to think of his story when they have an idea that might have potential.
“When I started this, I had no money and a concept,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of help from many local businesses to get my product to market. This city embraces new ideas and there are several ways local inventors can get their products made.”
